Improvement in refrigerators



2 Sheet--Sheet l.

l. slLsBY. Refrigerator.

Patented'March 2,1875.

QEBIN WT/VE'SSES:

UNITED STATES PATENT (')rrrona ISAAC SILSBY, OF GEORGETOWN, DISTRICT OFCOLUMBIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN REFRIGERATORS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 160,357, dated March 2,1875; application filed September 30, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IsAAc SILsBY, of Georgetown, in the District ofColumbia, have invented certain new and ,useful Improvements inRefrigerators; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part ofthis specication.

The object of my invention is to provide a refrigerator which will keepall articles placed therein in a better state of preservation and atamore regular temperature by having each article surrounded on all sideswith cold air, with a less quantity of ice, and by furnishing means topurify the air and to put in or takeout articles without materiallyaffecting the temperature of the chest; and my invention consists in anice-receptacle with open 'top and sides, with drip-bottom and sealeddrip-pipe suspended in an open air-chamber, and having a superposedair-chamber; and it further consists inra self-closing valve seated onthe wall of the refrigerator opposite the door, so that on quicklyclosing the door the foul air is forced through the valve, whichimmediately closes, thus retaining the refrigerated air.

In the drawing, Figure l represents a vertical longitudinal section.Fig. 2 is a vertical section. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the drip-pan.Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the lid-joint.

In the drawing, Ais the center main casing or chest, with an innerlining, B, the space between these being single, or divided into two ormore spaces, which space or spaces are filled with a non-conductin gmaterial, such as paper, charcoal, bark, sawdust, ashes, or feathers,&c. The bottom and six inches, more or less, up the side and ends of theinner' lining B are covered with zinc, lead, or galvanized iron, and theremaining portion of the side and ends is covered with paper, ifdesired. In the center ofthe casing I arrange the ice-box C, partlyvextending into the main box, and having atits lower end a grating,consisting of iron and Wooden rods e, which are held at their upper endsin the bottom of the box C, and are supported at their lower ends by awooden grating mortised into the sides of the chest B, the bars o c,which are square, set diamondwise, to pre sent the smallest surface tothe ice, and to allow the drip-Water to run oft' freely 5 or the iron orwooden rods @and the bars c c are suspended by a flange resting in arabbet, in which the solid or lined portion of the ice-box is placed.Thus the upper portion of the ice-box C is lifted out of the rabbet whenthe lower grating of the bars c and the bars c c is lifted out of thelower portion of the rabbet, thus enabling any repair of the upper orlower parts of the ice-box C without injury to any other portion of thechest. Under this grating is arranged the drip-pan D, which is securedto the frame of the grating, and so constructed as to catch the Waterfrom all sides of the grating, and conduct it to a center, as shown inFig. 3, through which center is a hole into a trap, e, on the drip-pipeE, which trap prevents the air from entering the chest, as there will bealways water in the bend. On each side of the iron or wooden grating isarranged a cold-air chamber by incasing the grating, leaving sufflcientspace for the cold air to pass down, and for the preservation of theice, and to prevent the outside air from striking the ice when either ofthe lids F G is opened to place articles into the chest. 'lhese lids,which uare made heavy, are kept tight by a rubber packing placed ingrooves cutin therabbet, upon which the door closes, as shown by H inFig. 4, thus forming a perfectly-tight joint. In each end of the mainchest are arranged a number of bars, a a, which rest on cleats b,fastened to the sides of the chest. The bars a are provided with hooksf, from which meat, pails, or other articles may be suspended. In oneside of the main box Ais inserted into the cold-air chamber awater-cooler, K, of an elongated and flat form, provided with a suitablespigot, k, the cooler having placed under it a drip-pan, constructed tocatch on all sides any condensation that may form on the outer surfaceof the cooler. This drip-pan is connected with, and discharges its waterinto, the main drip-pan under the ice-box C, thereby preventing thepossibility of any Water dripping into the main chest, andinsuring a drycold air. The ice is placed in the box C, when the cold air then passesdown and circulates all around the articles placed in the refrigerator,and at a uniform temperature. At the lower end, opposite the lid G, isavalve, I. The normal condition of this valveis to remain closed.Through this valve the foul air may be forced out by raisin gthe lid Gand closing it suddenly. The valve opens and closes automatically withthe movement of the lid G. The object of making this valve self-closingis to prevent the Waste which Would occur if the outlet were constantlyopen. The valve may be simply a rubber or leather flap-valve, or in anysuitable manner by Which its action is rendered automatic.V

This is a very important feature in my refrigerator, as with all othersthe doors or lids have to remain open until the impure air escapes,thereby increasing the temperature to the detriment of the articlesplaced therein, and requiring more ice to cool it down again.

The form and combination of the chest is adapted to allow one end of thechest for private use by locking the lid Gr, While the opposite end issufficient tor family use. Also, one end may projectinto thedining-room, While the ice-box and the opposite end remain in theadjoining pantry, by piercing the partition between the rooms. Bottles,melons, and articles of that kind may be placed under the grating, or,if preferred, in a sliding box so arranged as to be easily drawn fromunder the grating.

To meet the public demand for a cheap, economical refrigerator, and oneadequate to the end herein proposed, I can, when desired, cut off theend adapted for private use, and retain sufcient room, with all theother qualities that are claimed for the chest.

Having thus described my invention, I claiml. The combination of thechamber B with the ice-receptacle C', the same consisting of thesupporting-flange m, bars c c, drip-bottom D, with sealed drip-pipe E,surrounding airchamber K, and superposed air-chamber C, as and for thepurpose described.

2. rEhe combination, with the chamber B, of the lid G and self-closin gvalve I, whereby, in closing the lid, a current of air is forced throughthe chamber B, and the chamber in1- mediately closed, as and for thepurpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this28th day of September, 1874.

ISAAC SILSBY.

Witnesses:

JOHN COUGHLAN, AUGUs'rUs SHERMAN.

